Kings hit the road again in search of 1st Cup win

Los Angeles Kings Dwight King, left, and teammates Dustin Brown, rear, and Trevor Lewis watch the closing seconds of play against the New Jersey Devils in the third period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Devils won the game 3-1. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Los Angeles Kings Dwight King, left, and teammates Dustin Brown, rear, and Trevor Lewis watch the closing seconds of play against the New Jersey Devils in the third period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Devils won the game 3-1. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30), Bryce Salvador (24) and Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) fight for control of the puck in the third period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)— AP

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30), Bryce Salvador (24) and Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) fight for control of the puck in the third period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Los Angeles Kings' Willie Mitchell, left, and New Jersey Devils' Zach Parise struggle to control the puck in the first period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)— AP

Los Angeles Kings' Willie Mitchell, left, and New Jersey Devils' Zach Parise struggle to control the puck in the first period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick catches a shot on goal in the first period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals against the New Jersey Devils, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)— AP

Los Angeles Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick catches a shot on goal in the first period during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals against the New Jersey Devils, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
/ AP

LOS ANGELES 
After 45 years of waiting, the Los Angeles Kings' quest for their first Stanley Cup title will last at least a few more days.

The Kings had a chance to sweep New Jersey out of the Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday night, but they were done in by three third-period goals in a 3-1 loss to the Devils in Game 4.

While the Kings are an amazing 15-3 in this remarkable postseason run, they have lost three Game 4s with a chance for a sweep. No worries, though, as Los Angeles bounced back in Game 5 to knock out Vancouver and Phoenix on the road. The Kings managed to sweep St. Louis in the second round.

The Devils claimed their first lead of the series in the third period before Kings defenseman Drew Doughty tied it. Adam Henrique put New Jersey ahead to stay with 4:29 left, and Ilya Kovalchuk secured the Eastern Conference champions' first win of the series with an empty-net goal.

Now it's back to New Jersey for Game 5 on Saturday night.

"It was pretty even all the way, but they found a way to get a late goal," Kings captain Dustin Brown said. "We had some chances early in the third, but we didn't bury it, and we made a couple of mistakes that they capitalized on. We've just got to hit the reset button.

"We've been in this situation now three times in the playoffs, and we've always come back with a big rebound game."

The Kings might have to get some rebounds past 40-year-old Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who has been in top form all series, and stopped 21 shots in Game 4. The NHL's career winningest goalie doesn't appear to be satisfied with the three Stanley Cup titles he already has.

"Marty played well for them and made some big saves," Brown said. "Tonight was a battle out there, and now it's just a matter of having the same approach in the next game."

The Kings were trying to become the first team to sweep the Devils in a best-of-seven series, and the first to sweep the finals since the 1998 Detroit Red Wings.

New Jersey had managed a total of only two goals in the first three games - dropping a pair of 2-1 overtime decisions at home before losing 4-0 in Los Angeles in Game 3.

Los Angeles has won a record 10 straight road games in these playoffs, and 12 consecutive postseason games away from home, dating to last year. If the Kings win one more in New Jersey, they will also own the mark for most road wins in a playoff year with 11.

"Whether you win or lose, we don't have time to get down or too excited. We just have to focus on the next one," goalie Jonathan Quick said. "We've played well on the road, but at the same time, we try to play the same way whether you're on the road or at home. We're just focused on the next one, and that's all it is. This one is in the past."